2 Carroll men charged with illegal deer hunting

Two Carroll County men were arrested Saturday by Maryland Natural Resources Police on charges of illegally hunting deer by spotlighting or jacklighting, officials said.

Charles Edward Yingling, 29, of Westminster, was charged with jacklighting after officers allegedly found him in the Fridinger Mill Road area shining a powerful light on a woodland while he was in possession of a weapon capable of killing an animal.

The officers said they confiscated a rifle, scope, cartridges and spotlight from Mr. Yingling.

Vance Arlan Cross, 24, of Taneytown, was charged with spotlighting after officers allegedly found him using a spotlight near Mayberry Road.

Jacklighting carries a maximum fine of $2,000 and/or six months' imprisonment, and a revocation of hunting privileges for up to five years.

Spotlighting, casting an artificial light on a field or woodland, carries a maximum penalty of a $1,500 fine and revocation of the hunting license for up to five years.

Natural Resources police officers on the ground were aided by other officers in an airplane with Carroll County Assistant State's Attorney Gail Kessler aboard during the Saturday night observation.

Officers also use a helicopter equipped with a infrared radar to catch illegal hunters.

The arrests were the sixth and seventh on those charges since Oct. 29, police said.